1. Post-War Problems
• Britain still occupies forts in West
• Loyalist lands
• Spain closes Mississippi River at present day
New Orleans
• Huge debts

2. States Constitutions
• By 1780, most states
adopted written
constitutions
• Constitution: A plan of
government
• States did not want to
give up sovereignty
• Sovereignty: not
surrendering power to
federal government
*Revolution made states work together but
people still felt their state was their country

3. America’s First Constitution
• 1777 – Congress
created the Articles
of Confederation
• Each state had to ratify
this document
• 12 states accept;
Maryland refuses
• 1781- all states ratify
• Created national
government with single
body (Congress)
• Unicameral
• Formed a very weak
central government.
- One legislature, with little
power. (Congress)
- No judiciary (national court
system)
- No executive branch
(president)

4. Powers of The Articles of
Confederation
• Each state has one vote
• States controlled taxes
and law enforcement
• States had more power
than national
government
Congress could
• wage war
• make treaties
• handle foreign affairs
• regulate trade with
Indians
• set up Post Office
• borrow money
• print money

5. Why a Weak Government?
• Parliament and the King
were strong
• The colonies had rid
themselves of such a
government.
– An executive reminded
them of a King, so no
deal.

6. Achievements
• Treaty of Paris 1783
• Land Ordinance
of 1785: set up
system for settling the
North West Territory
• territory would be
surveyed and divided
into townships
• Land broken down into
townships, then
sections
• Sections sold to settlers
for about $1 per acre

7. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
• Provided a way to
admit new states
• Requirements for
new states
–60,000 free
inhabitants -
settlers could
write a state
constitution which
then had to be
approved by
Congress
• Outlawed slavery,
freedom of religion,
freedom of speech
• 5 states created –
Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan,
and Wisconsin

9. Review
• What were the Articles
of Confederation?
• When were the Articles
ratified?
• Why did it take more
than four years to ratify
the Articles of
Confederation?
• What powers did the
Articles of
Confederation have?
• What is the Land
Ordinance of 1785?
• What is the Northwest
Ordinance of 1787?